Kazakhstan to legislate ban on propaganda of animal cruelty

The propaganda of animal cruelty in Kazakhstan will henceforth be prohibited at the legislative level. Today Mazhilismen in the second reading approved a set of amendments aimed at the responsible pet ownership. According to the member of the Lower House Alexander Milyutin, children under the age of 16 will no longer be allowed to walk dogs and cats. There will also be a great pressure on pet owners. This will affect the observance of proper sanitary rules. Local executive bodies will be able to work out the rules for keeping pets. The vaccination and sterilization of stray animals, according to the amendments, will be funded from the state budget. Alexander Milyutin also said that when considering the new rules, the proposals of animal rights activists were also taken into account. Thus, the activities of traveling menageries, animal exhibitions, dolphinariums, oceanariums and contact zoos will soon be banned in the country.

“This rule will have a delayed period in order to provide the owners of these organizations with time to conduct procedures for the liquidation and reorganization of their businesses. Also, members of the Mazhilis added clarifying rules that the use of animals for participation in sports events in national sports will be fulfilled in accordance with the law of Kazakhstan on physical culture and sports,” Milyutin said.

Translation by Saniya Sakenova

Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanva